Keeping your ears on fire since 2010…

Wes Borland Accepts His Limp Bizkit Fate

If it were still 1999, many of us could have been aware that a new Limp Bizkit album is scheduled for release.

In a magical moment of self-acceptance, Borland has finally welcomed his place in rock 'n roll as Limp Bizkit's solely talented member and feature guitarist.

But rather, its 2011, and the rap-rock/critic-breeding five-piece from Jacksonville, Florida have faded harshly into obscurity following years of tumultuous lineup shifts, tragic album follow-ups and alienating charades led by outspoken vocalist Fred Durst.

Leaving the band in 2001, Borland would subsequently rejoin the group in 2004 to work on their fifth studio album The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1). Departing once again in 2005 for another of his numerous side-projects, Black Light Burns, Borland would make another public return to Bizkit in 2009; a move which has since contributed to the group’s latest effort Gold Cobra, which was released last month.

In a hilarious example of self-realization, Borland’s interview with Music Radar was a firsthand account of the trivializations he has faced as a member of Limp Bizkit.

“What’s interesting is, because the deck is stacked against us and we’re now the underdogs, I’m interested again in a weird way,” he said. “Being in the band is a challenge now, whereas before, when we were at our zenith, it was like clubbing baby seals.”

“People don’t care about us now. Things are harder for us. For some very weird reason, that’s interesting and exciting to me. I feel as though we’re building something again. My return is complicated, and there’s many gray areas to it.”

The story of Wes Borland is practically a tragedy. Long hailed as the solely talented member of Bizkit, Borland’s other musical projects, including Big Dumb Face, Eat the Day, Black Light Burns, Fear and the Nervous System, as well as a tour stint with Marilyn Manson.

In his performing days, Borland has successfully developed a carousel of dark, enigmatic costumes that reflect his uniquely creative personality. His refreshing wardrobes have likened him to past masked trailblazers of the stage such as David Bowie and Peter Gabriel.

While it’s fun to once again poke the bleeding Limp Bizkit sore that has been flaming out for over a decade now, Borland’s recent quotes shed light one of rock’s more underscored tragedies for talented musicians stuck in a corner.